Deniliquin’s nurses are calling on the community to get behind them as they campaign for better working and pay conditions.
They believe it is the only way to convince the NSW Government of their worth, and the disparity with other states that is exacerbating staff shortages in hospitals like ours.
While 50,000 NSW nurses walked off the job in protest on Wednesday - forcing the cancellations of hundreds of elective surgeries across the state - Deniliquin’s nurses participated in a ‘Value Us’ campaign while still working to support the health needs of the community.
NSW Nurses and Midwives Association Deniliquin branch president Jessica Donaldson said it was only because local nurses could not afford to strike.
She said existing staff shortages prevented many nurses from taking part in the industrial action, and others could not afford the loss of wages, as nurses who do walk off the job have their pays docked.
Ms Donaldson said the other deciding factors included not wanting to let the community down.
“In larger areas, the metropolitan hospitals, the nursing staff don’t necessarily know the people that will be affected by the industrial action. But we do.
“It’s not easy for us.
“We are short-staffed as it is, and we know our industrial action would put pressure on management to fill the gaps.”
Wednesday’s industrial action was the fourth on the same issues since July.
It was held after “in good faith” negotiations between government and the NSWNMA, which have been ongoing for a month, failed.
The strike action had been planned before this week’s announcement that the government had approved a 39 per cent pay increase for police officers, but Ms Donaldson said it certainly fuelled the frustrations already being felt.
Ms Donaldson said the inability of Deniliquin nurses to actively participate in industrial action is proof enough that the conditions are inadequate.
She said Deniliquin Hospital and other NSW hospitals are short-staffed simply because pay and conditions are better in Victoria and Queensland.
“We’re requesting an immediate 15 per cent pay rise (in one year), which will bring us into line with nurse wages in Queensland and Victoria,” Ms Donaldson said.
“Because we are in such close proximity to the border, we’re losing our nurses interstate because they have better pay conditions and desirable nurse to patient ratios.
“Our ratios are now locked in, but they are yet to start, and now we’re trying to negotiate for the other improvements.
“After action in August, our commissioner agreed to cease all industrial actions for four weeks to negotiate in good faith.
“The minister for health agreed to some conditions and penalties, but would only agree to a three per cent increase in one year, with negotiations for other years.
“No agreement was met, but arbitration continues. And in that time, police got their pay increase.”
Ms Donaldson said the union is holding strong and will not accept anything less than the one-year 15 per cent increase.
The NSWNMA is requesting a 30 per cent night shift loading, to bring nursing into line with other shift work industries which are male dominated.
There is also a demand to ensure that nurses get two consecutive days off between rostered blocks.
“Members have now been encouraged to get their local members of parliament involved, and luckily for us, we know that Member for Murray Helen Dalton already supports us.
“But we’re also trying to get non-nurses to show their support.
“Hopefully everyone can support our branches, and our campaign.”
To learn more about the cause, and to pledge your support, go to nswnma.info/supportus.